Today's topic is about the forward arm and how straight it should be throughout the golf swing. Because there is a slight rotation in the Peak Performance Golf Swing, the forward arm cannot be in a locked position. While the back elbow breaks to allow turning to the toe line, the wrists and forward arm remain in a nice, firm position. This sometimes gives the illusion of wrist cock during the takeaway, but there is none.

Gene Russell submitted a question asking how to maximize his swing without having the ability to bend his wrists. Because I say good wrist cock is no wrist cock, he should be able to get good results with the PPGS.

"I have arthritis in both my wrists such that I have to swing with my arms with fixed wrists. My wrists will not bend up in with my hands out to shake hands. I am not able to bend them up. How do I maximize my swing with this limitation? I can't do a push up because with my palms on the
floor, my wrists will not bend to allow my forearms to be at a 90 degree angle. Help."

The key with the forward arm is that it flexes, but never breaks. A lot of people break their wrists or arms at the top of the backswing. By hinging or setting their club, they create more steps to get the club back to square. When your wrists and arms break, you then must pull them back up, creating an "over the top" motion.

So to Gene and anyone else with simliar limitations on wrist movement, be assured that you can still put a great swing on the ball without cocking or breaking your wrists.

Keep it vertical,

The Surge!
Don Trahan
PGA Master Professional

If you can't view the YouTube video above try CLICKING HERE. You must allow popups from this site for the link to work.

A couple weeks ago, I posted a daily video on Playing Golf After Back Surgery. In that particular post, I talked about a Surgite named John who was curious about playing golf after undergoing a back fusion. I sent off the quesiton to my mentor on all things related to the body, Dr. Ned Armstrong. Today, I'd like to share his response with anyone whose ever had surgery of any kind.

"Don, I will have to take some time to review our patient list for an example duplicating John's fusion. But, I can reinforce your thinking.

Since the lower spine is designed to resist rotation, an extensive fusion will simply continue transfer backswing torque to the hips and thighs where it should be anyway.  Also, forward bending of the torso at address is though the hip joints. Again, expected. The only real problem is some unavoidable stress to the upper torso (thoracic spine) and the sacroiliac joints below the fusion over 5-20 yrs from the date of fusion because of absent subtle compensatory motion inherent in the discs and facet joints.

This circumstance can not be remedied because a solid fusion is not meant to give.  But, a Peak Performance Swing can provide a successful method for dealing with it. I will check my records and others for cases."

The Peak Performance Golf Swing is the most body friendly golf swing being taught today. With minimal rotation in the backswing and the forward swing, we eliminate all the stress and strain on our bodies and especially the back. Dr. Armstrong states that a fused back is not designed to rotate, thus using the PPGS is the best swing to use. He's going to do some research too see if any former back fusion patients are able to still play because of this swing, so that should pretty interesting to see!

I'd like to thank Dr. Armstrong for responding. I'd like to elaborate on his response by showing you each part of the swing and why it's so body friendly. Turning only to our toe line and vertically lifting the club instead of getting it laid off is the reason we don't even have to make a big turn. The reason people make a big turn is because they're told that's what they have to do for the best rotational swing.

Well, you know my answer to that!

Keep it vertical,

The Surge!
Don Trahan
PGA Master Professional

If you can't view the YouTube video above try CLICKING HERE. You must allow popups from this site for the link to work.

Director of Northeast Instruction, Dave Seeman is here today and he'd like to talk to you all about posture in the setup position. Dave has been coaching a lot of our Online Golf Lessons and is seeing the same problem among many of you. It's also a problem he faced himself, but with this simple tip Dave will show you how to get in correct posture every time.

A lot of players are not balanced over their feet correctly. It's good practice to have your knees be over the balls of your feet. If they get too much over the toes or back on the heels, then your weight won't be centered or solid. Watch the video and you'll see Dave explain how getting setup with good knee flex helps improve your ability to swing the golf club.

Keep it vertical,

The Surge!
Don Trahan
PGA Master Professional

If you can't view the YouTube video above try CLICKING HERE. You must allow popups from this site for the link to work.

There's always been a long running debate about whether or not golf provides the body with exercise. Some have even argued that golf is not a true sport because there is no running or jumping involved (except when you drain a putt to beat your buddies!). I think the real answer depends on what kind of golfer you are.

Are you a weekend golfer that always rides a cart? Or do you always walk and carry the bag yourself? After reading an article recently, there's no doubt in my mind that if you play 18 holes walking then you're definitely getting exercise. There were some pretty amazing stats that show walking for a full day of golf could end up being well over a traditional five mile walk.

Personally, I like to walk whenever I get the chance but often times when you play in groups, people like to ride in carts. But, that doesn't mean you still can't walk a few holes to ensure that your body is getting some exercise. Trade every other hole with your riding partner and get a good workout that way.

In the end, I think that golf can be great exercise but it depends totally on the player and what type of golf is being played that day. It's important to note that not every golfer wants to think of the game as exercise, but it's nice to know that it has the ability to provide us with the chance to use it as a workout. Feel free to share your thoughts below!

Keep it vertical,

The Surge!
Don Trahan
PGA Master Professional

If you can't view the YouTube video above try CLICKING HERE. You must allow popups from this site for the link to work.

PPGS Director of Club Fitting Operations, Doc Griffin wanted to discuss some common myths about shafts. There are many misconceptions about the different types of shafts and what they are all designed to do. Today, Doc will talk about the misunderstanding that the shaft is the engine of the club.

Much like the transmission of a vehicle, the shaft serves to transmit energy. It is not the source of the energy or the "engine" of the golf club. Rather, the shaft transfers the engery from our bodies as we swing the golf club. Since we all swing a golf club differently in some way or another, it's important that the shafts we use transfer this energy in the most useful way possible.

I'll let Doc explain it in more detail, just check out the video!

Keep it vertical,

The Surge!
Don Trahan
PGA Master Professional

If you can't view the YouTube video above try CLICKING HERE. You must allow popups from this site for the link to work.

Today I wanted to give you all an update on DJ's status after withdrawing from the Wells Fargo Championship. Many of you voiced support for DJ and for that we are both very appreciative. We got some good news upon seeing a specialist in Charlotte, NC.

Check out the video and I'll give you the full update on DJ's current status and when you can expect to see him next on the PGA TOUR.

Keep it vertical,

The Surge!
Don Trahan
PGA Master Professional

If you can't view the YouTube video above try CLICKING HERE. You must allow popups from this site for the link to work.

Because golf is such a challenging game, there is always room for improvement and areas in your game that need some fine tuning. But, it's important that you work on your game at the right time and not in the middle of an important round. That's why I think there are two different types of playing golf...practice mode and play mode.

A lot of golfers have a tendency to get caught up in the mechanics of the golf swing while they're in the middle of a round. They've got so many swing thoughts going through their head that it's impossible for them to put a good swing on the ball. Instead of feeling the swing and swinging the feel, they keep thinking about all the individual checkpoints and if they're in the right positions. It's okay to think mechanical, but there's a place for it and it's not the golf course!

Practice mode is the time for you to work on mechanics. This can either be on the range or in your own backyard like me. When you're working on improving your game through technique and mechanics, having this other mode of playing is critical in order to improve when you finally step on the course. As soon as you've left the practice tee though, it's time for you to switch gears and focus on play mode.

Play mode is completely different than practice mode. Now it's time to put up a number, so you must rely on the feelings you had during your practice sessions. Instead of overloading your brain with mechanics, take a few practice swings so you can "feel" the swing. Once you've got the swing you want, then you step up and "swing the feel." In order to have a successful golf swing, there must be a continuity of flow. All the parts must work together naturally, not robotically.

If you feel like you are the type of golfer who really has a lot of swing thoughts and constant mechanics running through your head, try separating how you practice from how you play. It's okay that you analyze and work on your game bit by bit on the range, but once you are out on the course it's time for you to feel the movements happen together and get the ball in the hole. Having a "play mode" will improve your feel for the game and allow you to shoot lower scores.

Keep it vertical,

The Surge!
Don Trahan
PGA Master Professional

If you can't view the YouTube video above try CLICKING HERE. You must allow popups from this site for the link to work.

One of the biggest misconceptions in golf is that you should hit down on the ball. With the Peak Performance Golf Swing, I teach swinging up as fast as possible (AFAP). Some of you seem a bit confused with the concept of swinging up because I continuously get questions asking about what should be happening from impact to the finish.

I don't like the word "down" when teaching the golf swing. Hitting down and staying down are two things that most amateurs think they have to do, when it fact they shouldn't be doing either one. Even before impact, I'm already thinking of swinging up because that is the natural movement of the swing that starts with the bump. I don't bump down into the ball. Instead, it's a lateral, left shift that takes me up through the swing to the T-finish.

Just like a pitcher before throwing towards the plate or a tennis player before smacking a serve, we load into the right side and explode up. Like a pop tart out of a toaster, I want you swinging up and standing up As Fast As Possible!

Keep it vertical,

The Surge!
Don Trahan
PGA Master Professional

If you can't view the YouTube video above try CLICKING HERE. You must allow popups from this site for the link to work.

I've always described the Peak Performance Golf Swing as the body friendly swing. More specifically, I feel like it's the back friendly swing too because of the low amount of stress that is put on the back throughout the entire swing. A question came in asking if anyone had ever used the PPGS after having an operation on their back that required fusing. I've also been asked if the PPGS could even eliminate the need for surgery all together.

First of all, I'm the Swing Surgeon, not the back surgeon. So, if you're scheduled to go in for back surgery, I'm sure there is a very good reason for it. Having said that, this topic brings to mind a former student who was also scheduled to have back surgery. He loved to play golf but was unable to because of the immense pain he was experiencing. This forced him to look for a different alternative and what he found was the Peak Performance Golf Swing. He started using the swing and said his back pain had diminished significantly so much so that he was considering not going through with the surgery.

He later received some advice from Dr. Ned Armstrong, who I always contact when I have questions regarding this sort of subject. I'll do the same thing with this new question and await Dr. Armstrong's comments. When I receive word back, I'll share it with you and we can all continue the discussion.

Remember, some golfers who have been forced to have back surgery don't think they can ever play golf again. But all they may need is the right swing that won't hurt. If you know of someone who has had or is still experiencing back problems but who loves the game of golf, be sure to send them to www.swingsurgeon.com.

Keep it vertical and pain-free,

The Surge!
Don Trahan
PGA Master Professional

If you can't view the YouTube video above try CLICKING HERE. You must allow popups from this site for the link to work.

Today I'm back with Greg MacDonell and Dale Moser, as we continue our discussion about club fitting and what Dale did to each of our students' clubs. I always say fitted clubs are the way to go but Dale shows a great reminder that some of your clubs don't have to be replaced. Instead, the club can be retrofitted to fit you and the rest of your set.

This was the case for one of our female students. The last iron she carries in her bag is an 8 iron. She then drops down to a 7 hybrid iron, but wasn't able to hit it very well. Dale measured the club and it was a full two inches longer than her 8 iron. In this case, Dale recommended she cut the club to match more closely with her irons. Other adjustments must be made after cutting a club down so having Dale's shop so close will again prove very useful. This is a great example of retrofitting golf clubs that you already own but can be altered to fit your game. Sometimes golf clubs are close and the fitters only need to make slight changes.

Another interesting statistic that came out of the golf school was that all but one student got their drivers cut down by Dale. The reason the last one didn't get his cut was because he already had it done before the golf school!

Our PPGS Certified Fitters always work with you to get the best possible results. Sometimes only small adjustments are needed, but the important thing is that you get your clubs checked.

Be sure to check back tomorrow as we will wrap up another fantasic golf school here at Old South Golf Links.

Keep it vertical,

The Surge!
Don Trahan
PGA Master Professional

If you can't view the YouTube video above try CLICKING HERE. You must allow popups from this site for the link to work.